Lisgoole Abbey facts for kids
Lisgoole Abbey (also known as Irish: Lios Gabhail) is a large, old house near Enniskillen, County Fermanagh. It looks like a castle with a tower and has big gardens. Today, it is owned by a private family.
Long ago, around the 12th century, Lisgoole Abbey was a place where monks lived and prayed. It was burned down in 1360 but was quickly rebuilt. In 1583, it became home to the Franciscan order of monks.
A famous Irish historian, Mícheál Ó Cléirigh, visited the abbey in 1631. With other scholars, he wrote an important book called Lebor Gabála Érenn. This book, also known as the Book of Invasions, tells stories about Ireland's past in the Gaelic language.
Over the years, Lisgoole Abbey has been used for many different things. In the 1800s, it was a home for children who didn't have parents (an orphanage). During the Second World War, American soldiers used it as a base.
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How Lisgoole Abbey Began
Lisgoole Abbey was also known as the Abbey Church of Saint Peter, Saint Paul, and Saint Mary. It was built on the southern side of upper Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland.
This site was once an even older Irish monastery dedicated to Saint Aid. In 1106 or 1145, a group of monks called the Canons Regular of Saint Augustine took over the site. Mc'Noellus Mackenlef, who was the King of Ulaid, officially opened it for them.
Over time, the abbey's name was written in many ways. Some old records call it Lesa Gabail, Lisngabail, Leasa Gabhail, or Lis Gabhail.
The Abbey's Long History
The abbey was burned down in 1360, along with other abbeys nearby. But it was soon fixed and put back into use. During the time of King Richard of England, there are records mentioning the wife and daughter of the Abbot of Lisgoole.
The abbey managed to avoid the worst times of religious trouble. It stayed in use for a long time. However, the number of monks living there slowly became very small. In 1583, the abbot, Cahill McBrien McCuchonnaght Maguire, agreed to give the abbey to the Franciscan monks. Even though a new abbey was being built, the monks had to leave in 1598.
Changes During the Plantation Era
In 1609, King James of England looked at how lands in Fermanagh were being used. The lands of Lisgoole Abbey were given to Sir Henry Brunckar in 1606. This included the abbey, its old church, and the churchyard.
These lands were measured in old ways, like "quarters" and "parcels" called tithes. Each parcel was thought to be about 30 acres (about 120,000 square meters). Other payments and ownership of a nearby Franciscan abbey were also part of this deal.
Lisgoole was even suggested as a place for a new town for settlers. The Lord Deputy, Chichester, thought it was a great spot. He wanted to build a town there to protect a bridge and make travel safer. He even ordered houses to be built for soldiers and a jail.
However, the people who owned Lisgoole did not agree to this plan. The officials eventually chose Enniskillen as the site for the new town instead. A special school that was planned for Lisgoole was later built at Portora. The monks eventually returned to Lisgoole in 1616.
The Gathering of the Four Masters
In 1631, the Irish historian and scholar Brother Mícheál Ó Cléirigh came to Lisgoole. He worked with other scholars like O'Mulcrony and Cucoigry O'Glery. Together, they wrote the Lebor Gabála Érenn, which means the Book of Invasions. This important book is a story of Ireland written in the Gaelic language.
This meeting at Lisgoole was the first time these scholars, known as the Four Masters, worked together. They later wrote the famous Annals of the Kingdom of Ireland (also called the Annals of the Four Masters). They started writing the Book of Invasions on October 22, 1631, and finished it by December 22 of the same year.
Later, in 1644, Connor, Lord Maguire, was put to death in London. His last wishes were kept by the friars at the abbey. He left money to the abbey for prayers for his soul.
In 1671, it is said that a friar from Lisgoole, Paul O Feararan, met Oliver Plunkett at the abbey. At that time, there were five friars living at Lisgoole. Two of them were known as very good preachers.
The 1700s and 1800s
In 1698, the abbey was sold to Mr. Thomas Smith. Not much is known about Lisgoole until 1739, when a special cup called a chalice was given to the abbey by Sir Bryan Maguire.
The land that used to belong to the abbey was rented out to different people over the years. In 1780, a famous gang led by Black Francis McHugh raided the abbey.
The monks continued to worship at Lisgoole until the late 1700s. However, their work in local churches meant fewer monks stayed at the abbey. The last known friar from the area, Fr. Stephen Keenan, died in 1811.
In 1819, John Armstrong sold the abbey to Michael Jones for £12,300. In 1892, Michael Jones's wife, Mrs. Isabella Diana Jones, left the abbey to local charities. One of these was the Fermanagh Protestant Orphan Society, which helped children without parents.
Later, Mr. Robert Johnston bought the abbey. He died in 1913, and it then went to his nephew, Robert William Johnston. By this time, only parts of the original abbey were still standing and had been built into the house.
During the Second World War, American army groups used Lisgoole Abbey as a base. This included the 109th Medical Battalion in 1942 and parts of the 8th Medical Battalion from 1943 to 1944.
Important People at Lisgoole Abbey
Here are some of the important people who were in charge or lived at Lisgoole Abbey over the centuries:
- Augustin – died 1329
- Adam Ó Cianain, a canon and historian – 1373
- Donal Lennon, prior – 1380
- Hugh O Flanagan, prior – 1419
- Simon Mac Arachain, a canon and granger of Lisgoole – 1431
- Luke Lennon, prior – 1434
- Eoin Lennon, prior – 1446
- Redmond Roe Maguire, prior – 1522
- William McCormick, prior – 1583
